289. Simaruba.
Botanical name:
289. SIMARUBA.—The root-bark of Simaru'ba officina'lis De Candolle. Habitat: Northern South America and West Indies. In curved or quilled pieces about 50 to 100 mm. (2 to 4 in.) long, and 3 mm. (1/8 in.) thick; it is of a yellowish-white color, generally deprived of the yellowish or brownish periderm; inner surface light brown, finely striate; bast coarsely fibrous, tough, flexible, the fibers easily separable; inodorous; very bitter. It contains probably quassin or picrasmin, some resin, and a trace of volatile oil. Tonic, used in dysentery and chronie diarrhea. Dose: 8 to 30 gr. (0.5 to 2 Gm.), in infusion or decoction.
